Is the UK Prepared to Break the Laws of Diplomatic Immunity in Order to Arrest Julian Assange?
Question by Trevor: Is the UK prepared to break the laws of diplomatic immunity in order to arrest Julian Assange?
1. Ecuadorian officials could pull up right under the Embassy Balcony in a convertible that has been declared a diplomatic car, and have Assange jump less that ten feet down into the vehicle, drive him to a diplomatic jet to fly him to Ecuador. It would be a violation of international law under the Vienna convention to enter, detain, or otherwise prevent the diplomatic vehicle from running it’s course, as with the airplane. Same protections as the embassy.
2. They could designate a life size crate a diplomatic bag, and wheel Assange out on a handtruck.
3. Ecuador could declare Assange himself as one of their diplomats to the United Kingdom, preventing the UK from legally arresting him when he leaves the embassy to go to the airport. The status could be revoked as soon as he reaches Ecuador. Also, there are a handful of diplomatic posts in which the person does NOT have to be approved by the receiving state.
These are three very concise methods in which Julian Assange could leave the Embassy with certain diplomatic rights. It is not a question of whether or not it would be legal for the UK to arrest him anyway, it would not be.
The question is, and the reason Assange hasn’t left yet, is whether or not the UK is prepared to say “Screw it” and violate international law, which it appears they are.
The UK supreme court ruling regarding turning Assange over to Sweden is on the assumption that the arrest is not made under conditions that violate diplomatic immunity laws, which supersede the laws of an individual state.
Is the UK prepared to essentially go rogue?
Best answer:
Answer by Frank
If they were to smuggle him out then the whole Ecuadorian embassy would be declared
persona non grata and ordered out of the UK and a few other countries..would do the same
that they don’t need
Answer by Yak Rider
Assange will surrender and be sent to Sweden or die of old age inside the Ecuadorian embassy. All your scenarios are simply impractical or foolish.